Simply Abu Dhabi VIII

I t’s known to be frequented by sophisticated and talented figures from the worlds of sport, film and fashion. People of the calibre of Steven Seagal, Sir Richard Branson, Hugh Grant, Prince, Brazilian football legend Ronaldo, Bernie Ecclestone, Adrien Brody, and Natalia Gantimurova (Miss Russia 2011) – to name just a few. That’s right – just as they did in 1930s Venice, the world’s discerning socialites and creative people are turning to the Cipriani family in their quest for first-class evening entertainment. Not content simply with running Abu Dhabi’s sumptuous Cipriani restaurant, the exciting Allure nightclub is where the distinguished and massively respected family turn their hand to providing some of the Emirate’s very finest nightlife. And they do so with the customary and seemingly effortless finesse that marks everything the Ciprianis do. It was at Harry’s Bar in 1931 where bartender Giuseppe Cipriani first made the philosophy of ‘simple luxury’ his own. He attracted the likes of Hemingway, Chaplin, Capote and Wells to his vibrant and stylish Italian bar, offering them a superb, warm atmosphere and with unique dishes like the trademark Beef Carpaccio. Today, Giuseppe Cipriani’s grandson (who has the same name) has brought the famed Cipriani tradition of hospitality to Abu Dhabi, both at the delicious Cipriani restaurant and – for late evening style and adventure – the fabulous Allure by Cipriani nightclub. During Abu Dhabi’s legendary Formula One weekend, we returned to both of these astonishingly good venues. The food at Cipriani was as good as we remembered (see page 44 for a detailed review) and the ever-inviting Allure was even better than we recalled. 7 5 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I